Volunteers

WHO WE ARE

We are a team of international volunteers, with different backgrounds all based in Rio de Janeiro and Stockholm, plus a group of 50 families living in Rocinha.

KEY VOLUNTEERS

Sofia Sunden – Founder, events, fundraising
Larissa Miliano – Favela tour, handouts
Luke Rush – Handouts, food baskets
Adam Slack – Handouts, food baskets
Richard Fenning – Digital
Sarah Dunbar – Social media
Jay Garner – Video and photographs
Cecilia Wanhainen – Crypto currency

Sofia Sunden, Sweden

Sofia Sunden, the founder of Mão do bem is native Swedish, living in Rio de Janeiro since 2013. She holds a MA Politics and a MSc in International and European Politics both from the University of Edinburgh, UK and worked as a policy officer for the Scottish Government before she moved to Rio de Janeiro. Through Mão do Bem she combines her love for Rio in general and the favelas in particular with her background in politics and development. Though, it was capoeira which brought Sofia to Brazil for the first time. She fell in love with Rio, and especially the vivid communities in the favelas. The trip led to a research project as part of her Master’s degree about the social impacts of the World Cup and Olympic Games in Brazil. The research made her move to Rio and since then she has worked voluntarily in Vidigal, Parada de Lucas, Rocinha and Centro before founding Mão do Bem in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Luke Rush, United Kingdom

“The decision to move to Brazil was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The places, the culture and the people are all amazing and that is why I wanted to be a part of this charity, to give something back! Currently working in Rio, alongside helping at Mão do Bem by organizing fundraisers, monthly donations and attending food handouts.”

Adam Slack, United Kingdom

“I came to Rio because I decided I needed a change in life. I got introduced to Mao do Bem through a friend of mine after hearing about this amazing cause I wanted to see it for myself. After the handout I fell in love with Mão do Bem. It was such an immense feeling of gratitude seeing all these families come together with a smile on their face. It’s more than just a charity, it’s one big family and because of this I’ve been part of Mão do Bem ever since.”

Sarah Dunbar, US

Sarah Dunbar is an international educator who finds joy and passion in educating young minds on global events and current issues. She has been living in Rio de Janeiro for 3 years, and before that she was in South Korea and the United States. She loves working with the community in order to find ways to incorporate joy and love in everyday life.

Jay Garner, US/ Brasil

Jay Garner aka DJ Don Jay is an American & Brasilian mix who was born in Hong Kong, where he lived as well as California , Miami, Tampa, Hawaii, Porto Alegre and now Rio. He works with events and tourism, concierge services, video work, real estate and is a DJ among other things. At Mão do Bem he contributes filming and editing videos for social media as well as garnering volunteers and contributors for the cause.

Richard Fenning, Ireland

Richard has provided invaluable help to provide digital support including creating our whole website! Only the one who has tried knows the efforts, time and patience that is required! Richard is Irish though Carioca at heart, and lives half of the year in Rio, while during the other half of the year working from home in the countries of his choice.

Larissa Miliano, Brasil

Born and raised in Rocinha, Larissa is a local in the favela and has contributed with her knowledge to the project since we started. Larissas favela tours are also legendary, since she knows all the best backstreets and allies and hidden gems to give you a unique insight to the thriving maze that the Rocinha favela is. Her tours should not be missed!

Cecilia Wanhanien, Sweden

Cecilia is a passionate capoeirsita for many years and has visited Brazil regularly the last 10 years. Her heart is in Brazil even though her headquarter and home is in Stockholm, Sweden. From there she has been providing invaluable help taking care of our crypto currencies. As often as she can, she comes over to visit us in Rio and is always a cherished guest, a carioca by heart!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

We are always looking for people interested in our project, willing to work for our good cause and the improvement of the community.

We love to have more people joining us in the area of fundraising strategy, website and social media. If you wish to be a part of our buzzing, socially aware team send us an email with your information, experience and what you would like to contribute to Mao do Bem.

Find us on: